bluebear

Detergent, yay! (it's the little things, isn't it?)

Wow, interesting. Thanks for checking. If you end up getting it, I'll contact them and send copy of my email too!

Does anybody else's Kohl's email from today say "Plus earn 3x rewards all November long!"? Do you have any info? I get Kohl's emails on two accounts, and only the one attached to my Kohl's account says that. And when I click the link, it just takes me to the main Kohl's page, even if I'm signed in. And adding things to my cart, it still shows only 1x. Any ideas? Shopping this weekend, and for the bf sale will rack up a lot of points if that's so!

The free after rebate tote bags are pretty cute. Not that I need another bag... But for free...

O Holy Night. That was my grandmothers favorite, so I think of her. Also, my mom's, and my dad's step sister would always play it on the piano for her on Christmas eve. My son used to be on a sign language performing team, where they went to different churches and schools and other venues and performed songs in ASL, sometimes as a replacement for a church service. I always loved the Christmas performances, and my favorites were Silent Night, O Come O Come Emanuel, and O Holy Night, even the version they used by Group 1 Crew.

Oh hooray! Thank you Brad!! And congrats to all the other winners!!

Yeah... The thing is I am off work the week of Christmas and the week after. We (my husband and I work at the same place) decided to take the week before off so we could have time to prepare for Christmas, so when his mom offered to get us a place to stay, he told her we were off that week... So kinda defeats the purpose a little, but still happy. We just need a vacation so bad... School has been going for 3 months now, and I am still just buried. It usually eases up beginning of September, but we've had some big changes this year, and I just don't know when it'll get slower. Hopefully by Christmas! If nothing else, I'll bake cookies on vacation and just bring them home!!

Guess what! GUESS WHAT!! We are going on a trip for Christmas! I've been wanting to do that for a few years, and we haven't been on vacation since April 2014. My boys probably won't be too happy... But they'll be okay. No one is asking for much it needing anything, so this is a good year to do it. Plus, I have some money left by my grandfather that I've held into for 1 1/2 years, so this is perfect to use it on. My MIL arranged the accommodations, so that's taken care of. We just have to eat and have fun. The only bad side is that it's the week before Christmas, so I'll have no time to prepare or make all the desserts I usually do. And we won't get paid until almost the end of the trip, so lots of careful planning will be required. But I'm so excited!

Ooh, I missed the google home mini. I'll add that to my list as well.

I'll get the Stranger Things set for $10. Husband wants the box. And probably Destiny 2. Nobody is asking for a lot this year. I feel like we have everything already. As for them closing and reopening... Well we would always go in there to kill time between other store openings. But it would be empty, so I'd always say it was a shame they had ro have people up all night for that. So I'm sure it's best for them. But shopping in an empty store is nice!

Perfect, Thank you!! Very helpful!

Thank you all so much! This was all very helpful. So several music services were listed. But my husband and boys use Google Music. And mama has her music in iTunes. These are both a no go I guess? Another question. If I bought one for my sister and her 3 kids, can they all use and talk to it separately? Can the kids listen to different music? Can they talk to Alexa at the same time? I did a little reading on the drop-in feature. So assuming the kids are not plugged into earphones (which they will be), could she use this to call them to dinner? Okay, for the smart home stuff. We use Smart Things. Does anyone know if it works with that? I actually really might would use that, to lock the front door and turn off porch lights from bed. Or turn on the heat or AC. Because I don't keep my phone by the bed, it's in another room. And the Alexa only deals are a little tempting. My husband, who is Mr. Gadget, has not expressed an interest, so I doubt I'd get one for here. But like you said, for the low price, I was thinking of several for gifts. And if it does require the app to actually use and not just set up, then it won't be helpful for me. My phone doesn't have the app.

Okay, I need some explanation on the whole Alexa/dot thing please. So you just talk to it, and it does Amazon stuff for you? Internet stuff? What is the source of the info? Do you have to have whatever the big thing is, or can you just have the Dot? What do they do different? Do you have to have Prime? Is that what it interacts with? Does it work just over your wireless network? Does it require an app? Or can it be used on something other than iPhone/android? Does the app offer any advantage? I know people have said they ask it for weather, to order something, play music... So you do it if you don't feel like grabbing phone or computer? If your hands are messy? (I'm actually not big in talking to things, guess why I'm a little apprehensive here) Where does the music come from? Amazon music? What if your music is on another platform? Who would be a good candidate for this? Would it be appropriate for someone who is in the apple world, but has Amazon prime? What about baby-boomer aged parents? Sorry for all the probably silly questions. But I don't listen to music, watch movies, or talk to things. I also like to just do things myself, and I don't like being talked to. And I don't have an Apple or Android phone. So I am obviously NOT the target audience for this!

The Big Chill For those that stand in line in the cold.

I write everything down too in a notebook. I do good keeping it updated when it's bought. Then I mark if it's wrapped, Santa, or stocking. And keep a count. The saddest thing I ever did... Is started this notebook when my youngest was 3, maybe younger. He's 18. Several years ago the notebook was getting full, and I was having to flip several pages to get to the current year... So I tore them out and threw them away!! Probably 5 years' worth. Not sure really what my reasoning was for that. The next day I realized what a mistake that was, but it was too late, trash was gone. All those memories, could be all in one place. I think now I have starting about 2009, and started a new notebook.

Last year I purchased a dishwasher online for my daughter who lives 3 hours away. Set up delivery for her house, easy peasy. Also, though, as someone mentioned, many of the stores do their appliance sale all month long during November. I know Home Depot and Penney's for sure already have their sale going. So it doesn't have to be done on black Friday.

Kohl's will have Nike 25-30% off Nov 23-25. Converse will be 25% off from Nov 19-Dec 2. No coupon codes can be used, but what I do is take the insane amount of KC I usually earn from the stuff I can use codes on, and apply it to the Converse. Because it's gotta be spent on something, and we already know that will be on sale. Since Nike ends the 25, earn the $15 KC on that, then apply to the Converse on the 26th. Last year I was able to pay for most of a train table and a pair of converse with the KC.

My issue is I make things hard. I want my kids to open the same number of gifts, and to have comparable piles from Santa. So I have to wait to wrap a lot of stuff until I have a lot of shopping done, or most of the lists made. For instance, depending on the other kid, 4 shirts may get wrapped in the same box, or in 2. Or maybe the sheets and blanket gets wrapped together if that person has an extra gift. They also have to "match" as well as possible. They will have the same number of clothes gifts, etc. And I also count the number of gifts for the stocking. And then wrapping is hard, because I have to match gift tags, check what designs of paper are more needed under the tree, everyone has a variety, decide the color of tissue... Stresses me thinking about it. I do actually like to wrap though. Just not the decisions. One year I waited to wrap a lot of the presents. And everyone was waiting to open them. I wrapped about 20, put them under the tree, took a picture, then we opened them. That was sad because I didn't get to enjoy seeing all those presents under the tree. I haven't done that again.

Yes they do. That's where I buy the most stuff in person. Cat litter Big boxes of milk bones and the big bags of treats Toys and stockings 50% off (not all toys. But good deals on Kong toys too) Collars Dog beds And there's usually a good deal on big bags of food, but they seem to only have their normal stock, so sells quickly.

I just told my husband, I like this time of year because there's lot of discussion here, and lot to read and talk about! You guys oughta stick around all year!!

Mmmmmm... Omaha Steaks, yummy! My MIL sends us that sometimes, and always when she's going to be visiting. I have a hard time thinking of thoughtful gifts too. And I'm not a fan of gift cards, not as the only or primary gift. What about a blanket or throw with pictures on it? We got my mom one several years ago, and she loved it. She still has it out, and changes it weekly to see different parts of the picture. Hmmm... Might be time for an updated one for her!

I struggle with stockings every year, especially for the boys. Gift cards (steam, playstation, Xbox) usually end up there, but they don't take up hardly any room! Sometimes a game. This year I have a outlet plug with USB and 3 outlets. And probably also a sliderule (yep! That oughta be fun! I'll also include a book on how to use it.) I also try to get little things related to the other gifts. Like a tablet case for the new tablet, or paint brushes for the paint sets, sandpaper for the model kits, etc. Portable phone batteries, cool (or cute) charging cables. Oh, and my youngest son is into playing cards this year, so we got him a nice set. They were $25 after shipping, so those might get wrapped! My oldest son needs a new wallet, so that may go in the stocking too.

Sugar cookie, anything with vanilla. And gingerbread.

Kohl's is always first because that's where mama wants to go after dinner. That's her favorite. Since their online sale starts Sunday night, that's my first online stop as well. For Friday morning, first stop is always Home Depot. Mama buys everyone poinsettias every year.

I once got in line at Home Depot 30 minutes early, for my tree. Many many years ago, me and mama would get to Walmart maybe 30 minutes to an hour early, and just hang out inside the store waiting for the sale to start. Some years they let us get our stuff and head to the registers, then wait until 6 am then we'd check out. I do not care to stand in line. Or to be cold. Just not my thing.